Girls Who Code... at the Library

A new Girls Who Code program has started in Champaign. The program attempts to close the gender gap in technology by providing youth education opportunities (such as the one at Central High School here). From the News-Gazette yesterday:

Champaign library's Girls Who Code class aims to reformat gender gap
...
To try to help close the [gender gap in technology], the library today will begin offering a Girls Who Code class for sixth- through 12th-graders.

The organization was founded by University of Illinois alum Reshma Saujani.

"Girls Who Code was founded to close the gender gap in tech," said Michelle Sawicki, the library's adult services manager. "So for us, wanting to expand workforce development in Champaign and looking at what a library can do, this was a natural fit."

The library will host 15 free sessions every Tuesday from 3 to 4:30 p.m., right after Edison Middle School lets out next door...

The class has room for about 18 girls, and it was already filled up by last week. Those who didn't make the cut can still sign up with the library to be put on the waiting list.

Sawicki said the library is planning to offer more Girls Who Code sessions in the fall, perhaps at a later time to accommodate more schools.

More at the full article here. Contact information for more information here. Sign up page at the Champaign Public Library website here.